ASBFEO applauds return of Ms Cash to small business ministry

The Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Kate Carnell, has welcomed the return of senator Michaelia Cash to cabinet as Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business.

Maja Garaca Djurdjevic

May 29, 2019

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Ms Cash’s return as Small and Family Business Minister demonstrates the importance of this sector in Australia, the ASBFEO said in a statement on Tuesday.

“Small business has been crying out for certainty, and now they want to see the federal government follow-through on its promises to small business and get the job done,” said Ms Carnell.

“Minister Cash ‘gets’ small and family business and has already shown true commitment to the sector.”

She noted that there are a number of small business issues the ASBFEO is particularly keen on working through with Ms Cash.

“Small businesses have told us their major concerns are tax cuts, energy prices, cash flow, finding the right people with the right skills to employ and simplifying industrial relations so they can more easily employ,” judged Ms Carnell.

“Access to affordable capital is fundamental to the growth of small to medium enterprises (SMEs), so the delivery of the Australian Business Securitisation Fund and the Australian Business Growth Fund is essential.”

She added that the delivery of the government’s payment times policy is crucial to small businesses, as is the continued downward pressure on power prices.

Ms Carnell also praised the government for adding ‘skills’ to the minister’s new title.

“Investing in change to address the needs of rural and regional small businesses in particular will create productive communities. And we will continue to work with the government to deliver greater access to justice for SMEs,” she said.

The ASBFEO also welcomed the opportunity of working with Attorney-General and Minister for Industrial Relations Christian Porter on the simplification of Australia’s workplace relations.

“We have identified a number of simple steps to tackle the overly complex industrial relations system for small businesses that would make a real difference to the sector. We look forward to working closely with Senator Cash and her team to continue better outcomes for the engine room of our economy,” Ms Carnell concluded.